Brown Ambition

Hey BA Fam! Mandi is flying solo this week, and whew—she came with heart, and hard truths. She’s breaking down what’s really going on in today’s job market beyond the headlines, and what she’s learning from working 1:1 with high-achieving women who are stuck in the “I have the résumé, but why can’t I get the offer?” cycle. Spoiler: It’s not your résumé. It’s your network. In this episode: Why her new 12-session VIP coaching model is shifting lives (and not just for her clients) Why LinkedIn visibility still matters (yes, even if you hate it) The power of internal referrals and how she leverages her own network to open doors What career growth has to do with gardening (yes, really—succession planting is the metaphor you didn’t know you needed) Why women in senior roles still need to sow new seeds and push past discomfort to make new career connections How to approach networking without being the “take-take-take” person PLUS:Mandi’s take on the U.S. fertility panic, RFK’s eugenics-adjacent policy ideas, the “Donate to Pay the National Debt” nonsense (yes, that’s real), and why even Fluffy and Fido are feeling the effects of inflation. 📚 And shoutout to the BA Book Club! She shares highlights from the first-ever live author chat with Cebo Campbell and gives us the scoop on our next read: The Ghost of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence Haynes. TAKEAWAY CHALLENGE:What did you do this week to form a new connection in your career? Mandi’s got marching orders, BA fam — it’s time to stop relying on the old network and plant something new. We launched a Patreon! 🎉🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA fam!  For this Washday Woosah episode, we are welcomed by CEO Coach, keynote speak, and author of “YOU'RE THE BOSS: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)”, Sabina Nawaz! During this episode, Sabina discusses being able to understand the complex connection between power and pressure as a workplace manager, and how to turn the hidden pressures you face, into astounding results created by hardworking and communicating! During this interview, you will Discover the leadership secrets of the world’s most successful managers and an important set of tools for managing yourself, others, and being able to navigate working relationships. Follow Sabina Nawaz! Website: https://sabinanawaz.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sabinacoaching/?hl=en Have a Question for the show?Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast! We launched a Patreon! 🎉🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BA Fam, send us your financial, career and everything-in-between questions! Submit via email at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast on IG.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re back, BA Fam! After surviving a morning of tech chaos (and some truly humbling camera angles), your favorite financial BFFs are back at the brown table— and we’ve got a lot to say. Mandi shares how motherhood keeps her grounded (and off the doomscroll), and Yanely drops gems on supporting immigrant parents while building wealth. Plus, we get into that National Urban League report on the state of Black America (spoiler: it’s giving dumpster fire), break down the dangers of digital misinformation, and talk about the future of DEI.   In This Episode: Mandi talks about parenting through anxiety and the power of staying present We dissect the State of Black America report (yes, literally a flaming trash can was involved) Why same-day voter registration and digital literacy matter Yanely shares how her family went from cash-only to investment-ready   🔗 Stuff We Mentioned 📄 National Urban League’s State of Black America Report 🧠 Grumpy Monkey — kids' book that hits a little too close to home 📚 Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall 💰 High-yield savings accounts — why they matter more than ever 📺 A Different World is streaming — do with that info what you will   We launched a Patreon! 🎉🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week’s BA Q&A, Mandi is joined by powerhouse author, filmmaker, and workplace equity consultant Minda Harts to talk about how we build trust, advocate for ourselves, and demand more from the spaces we show up in—especially as women of color. Minda opens up about her latest book, Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace, and why understanding how we give and receive trust is essential—not just at work, but in every area of life. If you’ve ever struggled with speaking up, setting boundaries, or navigating relationships in high-stakes environments, this conversation is for you. Highlights!: Why trust (not talent), is the real currency of leadership How to communicate your value and protect your peace  What inspired Minda's seven trust languages  The connection between storytelling and equity in film and media 💌 Got a question for the show?Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on IG @brownambitionpodcast 🎉 Join our Patreon!Get ad-free video episodes, early access, exclusive book club invites, and a chance to sit in live during tapings:👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's BA Q&A, Mandi is joined by friend of the show Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional to answer a question from Serena, a 28-year-old multi-passionate entrepreneur torn between beauty and holistic health. Naseema drops gems on the power of niching down, embracing your unique story, and positioning yourself as a Key Person of Influence. If you’re feeling stuck between passions and need clarity on how to turn your ideas into a purposeful business, this episode is for you. 🔑 Highlights: Why failing fast is essential to the entrepreneurial journey How to build your business by owning your story and defining your niche 📚 Book rec: Key Person of Influence by Daniel Priestley (as recommended by Naseema) 💌 Got a question for the show?Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us on IG @brownambitionpodcast 🎉 Join our Patreon!Get ad-free video episodes, early access, exclusive book club invites, and a chance to sit in live during tapings:👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Mandi is joined at the Brown Table by friend of the show, nurse and financial educator Naseema McElroy of Financially Intentional. The two get real about motherhood, love, career breaks, and all the chaos in between—from co-parenting struggles to Beyoncé ticket drama. Naseema shares an update on her mini retirement and an upcoming mommy-daughter retreat in Colombia, while Mandi recounts her wild Atlanta trip, complete with StubHub headaches and a soul-stirring church visit. It’s a fun, heartfelt convo about choosing rest, redefining success, and making room for what really matters. 💌 Have a question? Send it in to: brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or slide into our DMs @brownambitionpodcast on IG. We launched a Patreon! 🎉🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambition Looking to apply for Mandi's VIP 1-on-1 Job Coaching program? Here's the link > See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

🎙️ Hey BA Fam! We’re back with a brilliant BA Q&A! Mandi sits down with Dr. Jatali Bellanton—Angel Investor, financial literacy powerhouse, and founder of Kids Who Bank—to talk about the game-changing power of mentorship and building teams that actually work. Whether you’re dreaming up your first business or scaling your empire, this convo is a must-listen for leveling up your money mindset and your people skills. We get into:🤝 Why finding a mentor (or being one), is essential for growth🪜 How to create real partnerships instead of dragging “dead weight”💡 The moment that inspired Dr. Jatali to launch Kids Who Bank🌍 Teaching kids financial literacy from New York to Ghana and beyond💰 Her journey from investment banking and forensic accounting to empowering future moguls✨ And the secret sauce behind helping businesses boost profits by 40%+ Want to follow Dr. Jatali and tap into her world of money wisdom?📲 IG & Twitter: @jatalibellanton Have a question for the show?Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast! We launched a Patreon! 🎉🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey BA Fam!We’re back with a classic BA Q&A. Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal (aka MissBeHelpful) and Marc Russell from BetterWallet to answer Amber’s question: What should I look for when opening a business bank account—and what are the red flags? Whether you’re launching a side hustle or running a full-on business, this convo breaks down what really matters when choosing where to bank. We get into:💼 Why keeping business and personal funds separate is a must🏦 Traditional vs. digital banks—what works best for your biz💸 Fees, features, and must-haves (like QuickBooks integration)🔌 How local banks and credit unions can come through📍And yes, why Mandy’s low-key ready to move back to ATL... Banks we mention: BlueVine, PNC, Amex Business, TD Bank, and more. Have a Question for the show?Email us at brownambitionpodcast@gmail.com or DM us @brownambitionpodcast! We launched a Patreon! 🎉🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week’s Brown Table, Mandi is joined by Yanely Espinal (@missbehelpful) and Marc Russell from Better Wallet to break down the new “baby bonds” launching in 2025 (if your baby’s already here... sorry, you missed the cutoff 😅).We also get into the mess around the so-called “Social Security tax credit” (spoiler: it’s not a credit), and why that distinction matters—especially for those of us managing our parents’ finances. Plus: Mandi gets real about possibly saying goodbye to NYC for good, the crew recaps the Essence Fest scheduling nightmare (Lauryn Hill at 3:37 AM!?), and we talk about what it truly means to feel safe, seen, and at home.   ✨ Brown Boosts & Brown Breaks Yanely celebrates Delaware becoming the 30th state to require financial literacy for high schoolers! Marc shouts out the book Die with Zero and challenges the “save everything” mindset   🎧 Quick Hits What baby bonds actually are—and who qualifies Why mixing up deductions vs. credits is a big financial fail The fear, facts, and pressure around gun ownership in the South Essence Fest recap: sound issues, late starts, and why some fans were not having it   We launched a Patreon! 🎉🎥 Get early access to ad-free video recordings, join our BA book club, and even score a seat live in the studio during tapings. 👉 patreon.com/brownambitionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.